Ingham County Project Tests the State’s New Solar Approval Process
Michigan’s Solar Expansion Faces Its First State-Level Test
Michigan has officially entered a new era of renewable energy oversight. For the first time, a solar developer has filed plans directly with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) for approval, bypassing local zoning boards under the state’s new Clean Energy and Jobs Act of 2024.
The proposed project, covering 873 acres in Ingham County, represents a major shift in how large-scale solar farms will be reviewed and approved across Michigan. The legislation, which took effect in 2025, allows developers to seek state approval for utility-scale renewable projects if local governments do not have compliant permitting ordinances in place.
This is a test case for a policy that could accelerate Michigan’s clean energy transition while also reigniting debates about local control, farmland preservation, and community involvement.
Learn more about how local concerns have shaped solar siting before this policy change in https://michigansolarpartners.com/blendon-township-battery-project-sparks-safety-concerns and https://michigansolarpartners.com/huron-county-solar-cap-back-under-review-growth-limits-or-missed-opportunities.
What the New Law Changes for Solar Developers
Before 2025, large solar farms were primarily subject to local zoning approval, which often created friction between developers and township governments. Some local boards imposed temporary bans or restrictive ordinances that slowed renewable progress.
Under the new system, the MPSC now has authority to review projects larger than 50 megawatts (MW) when local ordinances fail to meet minimum renewable energy siting standards.
According to the MPSC, this new framework will:
- Provide predictable timelines for clean energy developers
- Ensure consistent environmental and land-use standards statewide
- Maintain public participation requirements, including hearings and community comment periods
However, township officials argue that the rule undermines local decision-making. As one Ingham County resident told reporters, “We’re the guinea pigs for what happens when Lansing takes over.”
This marks the first real-world test of how the state’s policy will balance speed, scale, and community input.
Balancing Local Control and Statewide Goals
The debate over who should control renewable energy development is not new in Michigan. Similar tensions surfaced when battery storage projects in Coldwater and Blendon Township raised questions about zoning authority and public safety.
The new MPSC-led process is designed to address that friction by setting statewide minimum standards for noise, setbacks, decommissioning, and farmland protection. Some local leaders still fear it removes too much autonomy from rural governments.
Learn how past projects shaped this policy shift in https://michigansolarpartners.com/coldwater-takes-the-lead-in-energy-storage.
Clean energy advocates argue that the policy will help Michigan meet its target of 100 percent clean electricity by 2040, a goal established in Governor Whitmer’s climate plan.
Economic and Environmental Stakes
The Ingham County project would generate roughly 150 MW of solar power, enough to power about 30,000 homes. Beyond electricity generation, it could deliver new construction and maintenance jobs to mid-Michigan and expand the local tax base.
The developer, whose name has not yet been disclosed, plans to use low-impact construction methods to preserve soil health and restore pollinator habitats, practices increasingly common among Michigan solar sites.
This mirrors trends seen in https://michigansolarpartners.com/from-brownfields-to-brightfields-michigans-hidden-solar-opportunity-on-industrial-land, where previously underused areas are repurposed for clean energy without displacing farmland.
What Happens Next
The MPSC will now begin its formal review process, including a public hearing phase expected later this year. If approved, the project could break ground in 2026.
Observers say the outcome will set a strong precedent for how Michigan balances rapid renewable expansion, local engagement, and environmental responsibility.
If the process succeeds, dozens of pending solar projects may follow suit and apply directly through the MPSC, transforming Michigan’s renewable energy permitting landscape.
For more on how utilities are adapting to this policy shift, see https://michigansolarpartners.com/consumers-energy-unveils-gustin-solar-project-promise-or-power-play.
Looking Ahead: Michigan’s Renewable Rules Get Real
This first MPSC filing is more than a bureaucratic milestone. It is the stress test for Michigan’s new clean energy policy framework.
If it streamlines the path for responsible development while preserving transparency and local voice, Michigan could become a national model for smart renewable growth.
If not, the policy could face legal challenges or community backlash that slow the state’s solar progress.
Either way, all eyes are on Ingham County. The results of this case will shape how Michigan’s solar future unfolds for years to come.
Sources:
https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2025/10/20/state-level-solar-approval
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/we-re-the-guinea-pigs-solar-farm-is-first-in-michigan-to-go-to-state-for-approval/ar-AA1xYZ56
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/09/30/michigan-renewable-siting-rules-go-into-effect
